- This game marks the start of four in a row for the Devils against teams currently out of the playoffs, a chance for them to keep even with Pittsburgh atop the Atlantic Division.

- If the Devils come back with Martin Brodeur after he played Wednesday night against Pittsburgh, the Leafs can take some solace that they usually play well against him. Though he has beaten them twice this year, his goals-against average against the Leafs is one of his highest and they're the only team he has faced at least 40 times, but not beaten at least 20.

NEW JERSEY NOTES

Defenceman Paul Martin is back from injury and had a goal against the Penguins ... Jersey's defence has jumped on the offensive bandwagon, averaging close to three points a game ... Jacques Lemaire was five wins ahead of Toronto's Ron Wilson on the all-time coaches list before Wednesday, 581-576.